Letrazole side effects - painful hands

1. Thank you, I do take Loratidine when I remember for nasal allergies. I want to keep going with Letrozole as long as I can, the Oncologist said I might need to switch to Tamoxifen because I already have osteoporosis I think I am going to walk more regularly, I like to use distraction. Not great with pain but hey ho. It's a balance of continuing to have some quality of life over the meds to keep us cancer free. Xx

Thank you so much to everyone who replied - lots of useful feedback.  I am not on statins but i do take Vitamin D along with other things - calcium - iron (hair falling out) omega 3 - oh dear there was a time when I didn't need to take anything!  I am going to try glucosamine with chondroitin for a bit - and but if it continues like this I will see the oncologist again - don't really want to wear 2 wrist guards every night - so maybe need to to try another manufacturer or switch to something else.  If I have any useful info I will pass it on - thanks everyone!  Lets keep cancer clear if we can. x

Like you I never used to take any medication but once I reached 70 it was one thing after another. Just had my passport photo taken so I can renew my passport. I need a holiday and some sun.

Good idea, I'm going to France in April to a wedding. Think we might drive. 

First trip since Summer last year. My husband is wanting to book something but I'm not up for a longer one yet. 

Xxx

So sorry Evajean that you are dealing with the joint side effects.  Seems like those are the most common and painful too.  I understand that you would prefer to be off the Anastrazole but it is nessary to weigh risk vs benefits.  If you don’t have a high % of ER or PR positivity then the Doctors are more willing not to prescribe as it probably does not benefit.  I don’t know what the cutoff point would be for it. My situation is clear as both my DCIS and stage 1 early BC were 100% ER and PR positive so it definitely benefits me.  I think it is easier for me as I know even though my BC was caught early that extra estrogen would be an issue.  I just took my Anastrazole a few minutes ago and I am trying to look at it in a positive way.  I have some side effects but joint pains are not one of them.  However I have bilateral thumb osteoarthritis and it is bone on bone but I work through it as I don’t want any more prescriptions. Not easy as grip strength is low and have soreness.  I use splints at night for it. Also use moist heating pad if it is real sore.
I wonder if you could try a paraffin wax for your hands and wrists.  That feels wonderful as the warm paraffin goes on and oh so nice.  If there is a PT in this site maybe they could share some tips.  

I hope you can get some relief and start to feel better.  These class of drugs are a difficult one to tolerate as so many side effects. First we go through surgery and whatever else we need and then this drug.  Ugh!!

 Barbara 

Hi

I've been on letrozole for 18 months, had aches in finger joints and elbows on waking which usually eased during the day, however three weeks ago the pain in my hands became very intense, particularly both thumbs, but the pain doesn't ease at all like before, can't grip to open packets and jars. I also have muscle aches in my upper arms (started about two months ago). I'm convinced it is the letrozole causing this as the latest pain began in both hands at exactly the same moment. No choice whether to stop letrozole as my ER/PR result was 8/8.

Hi Sabrina, I’ve been on Letrozole  for a couple of weeks. I was already taking blood pressure tablets & statins. Letrozole has already given me pains in my legs & ankles, plus I’m not sleeping well either.

I read that Letrozole raises blood pressure & cholesterol. Wonder how that works when I’m already suffering from both of those

Hi Barbara. My score was 8/8 for ER so definitely need to continue with Anestrozole. My GP asked me to pop in this morning so he could examine my wrist. I told him it felt similar to tennis elbow that I had many years ago. I used to play competitve badminton and I remember developing this complaint. Well the GP put some pressure on my elbow joint and the pain was awful. He said it looked slightly swollen too. He doesn’t think it is connected to HT and has given me exercises to do. It is still painful but I feel happier if it isn’t the HT. If exercise doesn’t help he said I can go back and get a steroid injection. Just back from the theatre. Had wonderful evening with hubby and our daughter and saw live production of Othello from National. So nice to do something special with loved ones and it really cheered me. Xx

Hi Evajean,  enjoyed your post and you are like me as our tumors love the estrogen.  
Glad you went to your GP for evaluation.  Sounds like tendinitis which hurts like he__.  I had tennis elbow before and it was awful.  Not caused my playing tennis but got it anyway.  Was neat you played competitive badminton too.  Oh the good old days!!

The theater sounds great and such a wonderful way for our minds to be free and just enjoy the company and the play.  Glad it cheered you up.  We all need that from time to time.  
I am glad the pain is not related to HT as I am just like you and think everything is due to that pill.  My hubby says everything can’t be from that pill but you could fool me.  Hugs to you.

Barbara

Hi Eline

I'm on Anastrozole and alendronic acid and have the same problem with my hands and wrists. Been to my gp and was told to go to a physio.  Paid to go private but name no difference. I think it's something we just got to live with. I've been on them 14 months. I'm 68 and healthy until my diagnosis in June 21.